[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 32 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MIKE O'CALLAGHAN: A TRUE PATRIOT

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, last night just before we closed I noted 
the absence of our distinguished assistant Democratic leader, Senator 
Reid. He was attending the funeral of one of his closest personal 
friends. I come to the floor this morning just to talk for a couple of 
minutes about this remarkable individual.
  Of course I am talking about a true American patriot and hero, 
Michael O'Callaghan. While we all mourn Governor O'Callaghan's passing, 
I am heartened that we here in this Chamber will continue to feel the 
impact of this great man through the service of his protege and former 
student, Harry Reid.
  The essence of Governor O'Callaghan's contribution is perhaps best 
captured by an effort he undertook in Nicaragua in 1996. He was in that 
war-torn country to observe the elections that would mark its first 
ever peaceful transition of power between democratically elected 
presidents.
  At 66, Governor O'Callaghan could have asked to observe elections in 
the nation's capital or its second city, but he insisted on going north 
to the Honduran border to observe elections among some of the most 
marginalized people in a country of marginalized people. He had to go 
there--in a battered truck over rained-out roads--because, he said, 
these were his people whom he had gotten to know in the 1980s, and he 
wanted to be there with them as they celebrated the democracy they had 
earned.
  That determination and generosity of spirit marked Governor 
O'Callaghan's life. He was highly decorated, with the Purple Heart, the 
Bronze Star with a V for valor, and the Silver Star, in the Korean war, 
during which he lost a leg.
  Aware of that bravery and personal strength, Sargent Shriver reached 
out to Michael O'Callaghan to make him a point man in President 
Kennedy's and President Johnson's fight against poverty.
  Also aware of that bravery and strength of character, the people of 
Nevada made him their Governor from 1971 to 1979.
  It was Harry Reid's awareness of O'Callaghan's bravery and character 
that led me, with great pride, to recommend him just last month to 
serve on the Veterans Benefit Commission.
  Governor O'Callaghan died last Friday morning doing what he did each 
and every morning of his life--attending daily mass before he went to 
work at the Las Vegas Sun. He also fought for the poor and 
disenfranchised--from Korea to Nicaragua to Nevada--each and every day 
of his life.
  While we are saddened by the loss of Michael O'Callaghan, we can take 
comfort in the knowledge that his generosity of spirit, his strength of 
character, and his devotion to his State and country will not soon be 
forgotten, and that his values and commitment to public service live on 
in our colleague and his close friend, Harry Reid.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Chaffee). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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